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Introduction

Road Trip

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Introduction

The Upper Road, was in colonial times one of the most important north-to-south travel and trade routes.  Use of this route started, around 1740 as an alternative route to the Fall Line Road.    The

Upper Road was favored by Colonists as it had been preferred by their predecessors, the Algonquin and Iroquois Indians because of numerous springs along its route, milder temperatures east of the mountains and relatively safe fords across major rivers and streams. By the 1750’s the Upper Road had stretched south through North Carolina where it tracked to the west through Hillsborough, Salisbury and Charlotte.  It then entered South Carolina and continued on to Greenville. This portion of road from Salisbury to Greenville most likely followed what is present day U. S. Route 29.  By 1828 the road had extended to Athens, Georgia where it eventually connected with the Federal Road.

Map of the Upper Road

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Road Trip

If you have traced your 18^th or 19^th century ancestors to any of the counties listed below it is quite possible that they traveled to that location along this migration route.  Therefore you may find additional relevant information about your ancestral lineages by taking the following road trip through these localities.

COUNTY (Road Trip Segment)

COUNTY (Road Trip Segment)

COUNTY (Road Trip Segment)

Fredericksburg City, VA (1)

Spotsylvania Co., VA (1)

Louisa, Co., VA (1,2)

Goochland Co., VA (2)

Powhatan Co., VA (2)

Amelia Co., VA (2,3)

Nottoway Co., VA (3)

Lunenburg Co., VA (3,4)

Mecklenburg, Co., VA (4)

Person Co., NC (5)

Orange Co., NC (5)

Alamance Co., NC (6)

Guilford Co., NC (6)

Davidson Co. NC (7)

Rowan Co., NC (7)

Cabarrus Co., NC (8)

Mecklenburg Co., NC (8)

Gaston Co., SC (9)

Cherokee Co., SC (9)

Spartanburg Co., SC (10)

Greenville Co., SC (10)

Genealogy Road Trip

This “Genealogy Road Trip” is divided into segments that require between 1 and 2 hours of driving time.  The entire 495 mile journey should take approximately 12.5 hours to drive at 40 miles per hour.  Within each segment you will find links to resources* that will assist you in planning a successful and enjoyable experience.  The following maps are designed to show a close-up view of the counties and communities along this migration route.  Relevant county seats are designated with a, beginning and end points of each segment are noted with a  and historical sites with a .

SEGMENT 1

From: Fredericksburg, VA

To: Cuckoo, VA

SEGMENT 2

From: Cuckoo, VA

To: Amelia Court House, VA

SEGMENT 3

From: Amelia C.H., VA

To: Ontario & Rehoboth Rds., Lunenburg Co., VA

SEGMENT 4

From: Ontario & Rehoboth Rds., Lunenburg Co., VA

To: VA / NC border

SEGMENT 5

From: VA / NC border

To: Efland, NC

SEGMENT 6

From: Efland, NC

To: High Point, NC

SEGMENT 7

From: High Point, NC

 To: China Grove, NC

SEGMENT 8

From: China Grove, NC

To: Lake Wylie, NC

SEGMENT 9

 From: Lake Wylie, NC

To: Cowpens, SC

SEGMENT 10

From: Cowpens, SC

To: Greenville, SC

Segment 1

From: Fredericksburg, VA

To: Cuckoo, VA

Driving Distance = 52 miles;   Driving Time = approximately 1.50 hours

Your trip starts at the in the historic district of Fredericksburg, Virginia.   Fredericksburg is located 50 miles south of Washington, D.C., and 55 miles north of the state capitol at Richmond.  Our first stop is at

        To leave the town center from here go north to Fauquier St. and turn LEFT then turn left again onto Princess Anne St(Us-1-Br S).  Continue 7 blocks on Princess Anne St(Va-2 S) and turn Right on Wolfe St, then Left at Prince Edward St, and finally Turn Right On Lafayette Blvd(Us-1-Br).  Take BR US1 out of Fredericksburg until it intersects with US 1 here you will continue straight ahead as the road becomes VA 208 (Courthouse Road).  An Act of Congress, approved 23 April 1800, established a "post road from Fredericksburg, by Spotsylvania Courthouse and Louisa Courthouse to Columbia." This road was to connect the Rappahannock River and the James River and is roughly Route 208 of today, which reaches from Interstate 95 to Interstate 64 at Ferncliff.

Turn left at BRVA 208 and continue to Spotsylvania Courthouse the county seat of Spotsylvania County, Virginia, located ten miles southwest of Fredericksburg.

Pass the Spotsylvania National Military Park on you right just before you enter the town on Courthouse Road (VA 208).  Records of all deeds, wills and other legal papers on file in the County are at the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court located at 9113 Courthouse Road.  Contiune on BRVA 208 and see the Spotsylvania County Museum which contains a research library is on your right. 

Spotsylvania County Clerk of the Circuit Court has Marriage Records from 1795 , Land Records from 1720 , Probate Records from 1722 and Court Records from 1724 and is located at the County Courthouse on P. O. Box 96, 9115 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania, VA 22553-0096; 540/507-7600 .

Spotsylvania County Museum, 8956 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania, VA 22553, 540-582-7167

Central Rappahannock Regional Library, 1201 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA   22401-3701, Phone: 540/372-1144, Spotsylvania, Stafford and Westmoreland counties partner with Fredericksburg to fund the Central Rappahannock Regional Library. 

Fredericksburg Regional Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 42013, Fredericksburg, VA 22404.  540-371-3906,  [email protected] .

Follow the signs for VA 208 West when leaving  

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Spotsylvania.  Cross the Po River and come to Snell where you must turn right in order to continue on VA 208/606.  At Post Oak turn left to continue on VA 208 West.  On this stretch of road you will pass Lawyer’s Road, on your right, the entrance to Lake Anna State Park. Just beyond is an historical marker noting the establishment around 1727 of Fredericksville an iron making community. Soon you will cross the North Anna River, now Lake Anna, and enter Louisa County. 

At the intersection with US 522 South turn left and take VA 208 West south to Mineral. In Mineral turn right onto Piedmont Ave. (VA 22/208).  The Louisa county Library is located about 1 mile on the Davis Highway (VA 22/208). After you leave the library proceed west about 5 miles to the county seat at Louisa.    As you enter the town on Main Street, (US 33, VA 22) The County Courthouse is located at 100 W. Main Street. The County Administration Building is located one block southwest at 101 Woolfolk Ave. 

Louisa County Library, 881 Davis Highway, Mineral, VA 23117, 540.894.5853.  The Genealogy Room contains all issues of the Louisa County Historical Society publication, as well as several special collections about local area history.

Louisa County Clerk of the Circuit Court has Marriage Records from 1763 , Land Records from 1742 , Probate Records from 1742 and Court Records from 1742 and is located at the County Courthouse on Box 37, 100 W. Main Street, Louisa, VA 23093-0037; 540/967-5312 . Louisa County Administration Building 101 Woolfolk Ave.,  Louisa, VA 23093, 540-967-0401

To return to your original route take US 33 East back the way you came and south out of Louisa.  At the intersection with continue on US 33/522 until you arrive at Cuckoo. Here you will take the right fork and continue on US 522 through South Anna.

Use the following LINKS to find information about the counties and localities found along this segment of the Route.

General Profile

Genealogy & History Resources

Historical Sites

Segment 2

From: Cuckoo, VA

To: Amelia Court House, VA

Driving Distance = 50 miles;   Driving Time = approximately 1.25 hours

  Cross the South Anna river and continue through Shelfar right for and on US 522.  This part of the road intersects with I 64 just before Gum Spring.  Continue on US 522 into Goochland County and on into the town of Goochland the county seat.

Continue on US 522/VA 6 as you enter the town of Goochland the road will be called River Road West.  The Goochland branch of the Paumunkey Regional Library is located, on your right, at 3075 River Road West.  The County courthouse is on your left at 2938 River Road West, and the Goochland County Historic Center at 2875 River Road West.

Pamunkey Regional Library -Goochland Branch  3075 River Road West, Goochland, Virginia 23063, Phone: (804) 556-4774 . Does not maintain a collection of genelogical materials.   Housed in a new building erected in 2003, the new library colorful murals painted by local artist Patti Rosner, and much more as it expands its collections and services.

Goochland County historical Society The Society maintains a well organized library with various types of reference materials.  Their Historic Center is located   at 2875 River Road West (Route 6). P.O. Box 602, Goochland, VA 23063 Telephone: 1-804-556-3966. 

Goochland County Clerk of the Circuit Court has Marriage Records from 1730 , Land Records from 1728 , Probate Records from 1728 and Court Records from 1728 and is located at the County Courthouse on P. O. Box 196, 2938 River Road West, Goochland, VA 23063; 804/556-5353 .

As you leave Goochland turn right to follow US 522 across the bridge over the James River and on into Powhatan County.   Continue south on US 522 to where it ends at the intersection of US 60 (Anderson Hwy.).  Go straight onto VA 13 and turn left at VA 1002 (Old Buckingham Road) and proceed 1.5 miles into the county seat at Powhatan.  On the way into town turn right at Mann Road where the County Library is located at 2270.

Powhatan County Public Library, 2270 Mann Rd. Powhatan, VA 23139, Phone: (804) 598-5670

Powhatan County Clerk of the Circuit Court has Marriage Records from 1777 , Land Records from 1777 , Probate Records from 1777 and Court Records from 1777 and is located at the County Courthouse on P. O. Box 37, 3880 Old Buckingham Road, Suite C, Powhatan, VA 23139-0037; 804/598-5660, Fax: 804/598-5608 .

Powhatan County Historical Society, PO Box 562 Powhatan VA 23139, Phone: (804) 598-1139, Email: [email protected]

Retrace your route back to VA 13 and turn left to continue south.  At Macon stay left onto VA 609 (Giles

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Bridge Road).  Just before Giles Mill you will cross The Appomattox River and enter Amelia County.  At Genito Road turn left the right to continue on VA 609.  Along this part of your route you will pass the Grub Hill Church although the current building dates from 1852 the church was originally established around 1754 and tends to validate the early existence of this road.     At the intersection of VA 609 and US 360 you will be just outside of Amelia Court house the seat of Amelia County.  Here you will turn left and then right onto BRUS360 in order to proceed into the center of town.  The County offices are located at 16360 Dunn Street. Amelia County has two libraries located in the Court House vicinity. The James L. Hamner Public Library at 16351 Dunn Street and the Amelia County Historical Society.  The Historical Society, located in the Jackson Building at 16501 Church Street, maintains a genealogical library and a small museum.  

Amelia County Clerk of the Circuit Court has Marriage Records from 1735 , Land Records from 1734 , Probate Records from 1734 and Court Records from 1734 and is located at the County Courthouse on P.O. Box 237, Amelia, VA 23002-0237 ; 804/561-2128, Fax: 804/561-6364 .

James L. Hamner Public Library,  16351 Dunn Street, Amelia, VA 23002, (804) 561-4559

Amelia County Historical Society, 16501 Church Street, P.O. Box 113, Amelia, VA 23002, 804-561-3180.  Historical Society is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday between 10:00 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Use the following LINKS to find information about the counties and localities found along this segment of the Route.

General Profile

Genealogy & History Resources

Historical Sites

Segment 3

From: Amelia C.H., VA

To: Ontario & Rehoboth Rds., Lunenburg Co, VA.

Driving Distance = 50 miles;   Driving Time = approximately 1.25 hours

 From the Courthouse follow signs for Fort Pickett to leave Amelia via VA 38 East (Five Forks Road).  South of the town at Otterburn Road leave VA 38 and continue straight onto VA 614 (Dennisville Road) towards Ponton Store.  Past Denaro you will enter Nottoway County where your route is named Cellar Creek Road.  Just before the intersection with VA 606 turn right onto  E. Courthouse Road at Piney Green Road turn left go to the intersection with BR US 460 (Old Nottoway Road) turn right and proceed into Nottoway C.H.  To get to the County Administration building turn left on to West Courthouse Road.  For the County Library continue on through Nottoway Courthouse and take US 460 into Crewe where you will turn right onto Tyler Street and proceed four blocks where the library will be on your right.

Nottoway County Clerk of the Circuit Court has Marriage Records from 1784 , Land Records from 1789 , Probate Records from 1789 and Court Records from 1789. Many county court records were destroyed or heavily mutilated in 1865. and is located at the County Courthouse on P. O. Box 25, Nottoway, VA 23955-0025; 434/645-9043, Fax: 434/645-2201.

Nottoway County Administration, 344 West Courthouse Road, P.O. Box 92, Nottoway, VA 23955, (434) 645-8696, [email protected]

The Nottoway County Historical Association, P.O. Box 156, Nottoway, VA 23955.

Nottoway County Library offices at 414 Tyler Street, Crewe, Virginia 23930 (434) 645-9310, http://www.nottlib.org.

To leave Crewe go back to US 460 turn left and go two blocks where you will turn right onto VA 49, (Earl Davis Gregory Highway).  Continue south on this road through Winnie and enter Lunenburg County near Plymouth.  Soon you will enter the town of Victoria.  One of the two public libraries in Nottoway County is found in Victoria at 1417 7^th Street.  At Washington Ave. turn left and go 3 blocks and turn right on 7^th Street. The Library is in a one-story building on your left.   To leave Victoria turn right on Main Street, one

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block turn left onto VA 49/40 (Court St.).  Continue on this route into the county seat, Lunenberg where the County Registrar’s office is located at 160 Courthouse Square. 

Lunenburg County Clerk of the Circuit Court has Marriage Records from 1746 , Land Records from 1743 , Probate Records from 1743 and Court Records from 1743 and is located at the County Courthouse on 11435 Courthouse Road, Lunenburg, VA 23952; 434/696-2132, Fax: 434/696-3931. 

County Registrar’s Office, 160 Courthouse Square, Lunenburg, VA 23952, Phone: 434-696-3071.

Victoria Public Library: 434-696-3416, 1417 7th St, Victoria, VA 23974, (434) 696-3416.

Ripberger Public Library: 117 South Broad Street, Kenbridge, VA 23944-0845 434-676-3456

 Southside Virginia Genealogical Society, 984 Camp Road,  South Hill, VA 23970,  Phone: 434 - 447 - 7308

Leave Lunenberg on VA 49 and proceed through Rehoboth to where VA 49 intersects with the intersection of Ontario and Rehoboth Roads.

Use the following LINKS to find information about the counties and localities found along this segment of the Route.

General Profile

Genealogy & History Resources

Historical Sites

Segment 4

FROM: Ontario & Rehoboth Rds., Lunenburg Co., VA

TO: VA / NC border

Driving Distance = 47 miles;   Driving Time = approximately 1.25 hours

 Continue straight on VA 49 (Courthouse Road) and enter Mecklenburg County.   At Chase City stop and visit the Butler Memorial Library located at 515 Marshall Street.  To get there turn left at E. 4^th Street go one block then right on Marshall. To leave Chase City retrace your route to VA 49 (Main St.).  At the intersection with 2^nd street continue straight onto VA 92 (S. Main St.) and follow this out of town to Boydton, the county seat.  You will enter the center of Boydton after you pass the intersection with US 58.  To get to the Mecklenburg County Court House turn right at Jefferson Street.   The office of the clerk of the Court is located on the 1^st floor.

Mecklenburg County Clerk of the Circuit Court has Marriage and Land Records from 1765, Probate and Court Records date from 1764. located at the County Courthouse on P. O. Box 530, Boydton, VA 23917-0530; 434/738-6191 Ext. 4222, Fax: 434/738-6861.

Mecklenburg County Court House, 1294 Jefferson Street, Boydton, Virginia 23917, 434/738-6191 Ext. 4222 http://www.myvirginiagenealogy.com/va_county/mec.htm

Butler Memorial  Library, 515 Marshall St.  Chase City, VA 23924.  A branch of the Southside Regional Library which maintains genealogical information for both Mecklenburg and Lunenburg Counties.  In addition the library provides access to several on-line genealogical collections.

Southside Virginia Genealogical Society, 984 Camp Road,  South Hill, VA 23970,  Phone: 434 - 447 – 7308.

The Boyd Tavern Foundation, P. O. Box 183, Boydton, Virginia 23917, Phone: 434-738-9800, email: [email protected]

Leave Boydton on Jefferson Street to where it intersects with US 58 West.  At Jefferson you will see

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the entrance road to Occoneechee State Park on your right.  At the Roanoke River take BR US 58 (Virginia Ave.) across the bridge into Clarksville proceed through the center of town to Puryear Corner and US 58 West.  After about a mile on US 58 turn left onto VA 49 South (Earl Davis Gregory Hwy.).  Continue on VA 49 through Nelson and into the town of Virgilina located on the border with North Carolina. In Virgilina turn left at Florence Street and take VA 96 into, North Carolina.

Use the following LINKS to find information about the counties and localities found along this segment of the Route.

General Profile

Genealogy & History Resources

Historical Sites

Segment 5

From: VA / NC border

To: Efland, NC

Driving Distance = 51 miles;   Driving Time = approximately 1.25 hours

At the fork go right on NC 49 South toward Roxboro. From the VA/NC state line it is approximately 16 miles to Roxboro the seat of Person County, North Carolina.  Enter Roxboro on NC 49 (N. Madison Blvd.) and turn left at  Reams St. go two blocks then right on S. Main street to the County Records Office at 105 S. Main Street and to the Person County Library at 319 S. Main Street.  To visit the Historical Society from the library turn left at the corner of S. Main and Gordon Streets, and take Gordon St. four blocks to S. Morgan St. where you will turn left the Society is located at 304 S Morgan St Ste 2.  

County Records Office, 105 S. Main Street, Roxboro, NC 27573, (336) 597-1733

Person County Public Library, 319 S. Main Street, Roxboro, NC 27573, 336-597-7781

Person County Historical Society, 304 S Morgan St Ste 2, Roxboro, NC 27573, (336) 599-5384

Leave Roxboro via S. Madison Blvd. (NC 57, US 501/158) soon at the intersection with NC 157 (S. Main Street) go right and take this route through Payne’s Tavern towards Hillsborough located about 25 miles south.  A few miles past Hurdles Mill you will enter Orange County .   At Caldwell turn right onto NC 57.  Follow this road through Schley until it intersects with NC 86 just north of Hillsborough, the county seat.  Continue straight into the center of town via N. Churton Street (NC86/US 70(BR)).  On the way into town you will pass the Orange County Historical Museum. To visit the Orange County Library turn right at Tryon Street.  To research at the County Records Office retrace your route to Churton Sreet turn right and see the Registrar of Deeds office in the  Gateway Center, at 228 South

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Churton Street, Suite 300. 

Registrar of Deeds Gateway Center, 228 South Churton Street, Suite 300,  Hillsborough, NC 27278

Orange County Public Library, 300 West Tryon St. Hillsborough, NC 27278      Phone: 919-245-2525   

The Orange County Historical Museum is located in downtown Hillsborough, NC, at 201 North Churton Street. It contains historical collections ranging from pre-Colonial through the Revolutionary and Civil Wars to the early 1900s. The building, known also as the Confederate Memorial Building, houses the offices of the foundation, as well.

Durham-Orange Genealogical Society, PO Box 4703, Chapel Hill, NC 27515-4703, Email: D-OGS Administration

Leave Hillsborough by reracing your route north on Churton Street until it intersects with main US 70 west (Cornelius St.). Continue west on US 70 through Efland, NC.

Use the following LINKS to find information about the counties and localities found along this segment of the Route.

General Profile

Genealogy & History Resources

Historical Sites

Segment 6

From: Efland, NC

To: High Point, NC

Driving Distance = 51 miles;   Driving Time = approximately 1.25 hours

About 5 miles past Efland you will enter Mebane in Alamance County.  At Haw River make a left turn at NC 49 (S. Main St.) and head for Graham, the county seat.  As you enter Graham NC 49 will be E. Elm Street.  At E. Harden St. turn right and proceed to Main Street. 

Registrar of Deeds Office, 118 West Harden Street, Graham, NC 27253, (336) 570-6565

Graham Public Library, 211 South Main Street, Graham, NC 27253, Telephone: 336-570-6730

The Alamance County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 3052, Burlington, NC 27215-3052

Leave Graham via Main Street north where you will turn left on to W. Harden St. (NC 54).  Follow NC 54 west out of Graham until it intersects with US 70. 

 (Wendover Ave.) where you will leave US 70.  At the exit at Summit Ave. at the base of the ramp turn right after you pass the railroad tracks turn left turn left on N. Church Street.  The Central Library is located at

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219 N. Church Street.  To get to the Registrar of Deeds office go to the end of the block and turn right onto E. Friendly Street, go 5 blocks and turn left onto S. Eugene St. the office is located in the lower level of the New County Courthouse, Room L 53. 

Register of Deeds office, Lower Level, Room L53, New County Courthouse, 201 South Eugene Street, Greensboro, NC 27402, (336) 641-7556.

Central Library - 219 N. Church Street, Greensboro, NC 27402-3178; (336) 373-2471

The Guilford County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 49104, Greensboro, NC 27419-1104

Leave Greensboro via S. Eugene Street turn right at W. McGee St. and after two blocks go left onto Freeman Mill Rd..  Continue south on this road until it becomes US 220 and then intersects with US 29/70 where you will take the right exit and get onto US 29/70. Continue to follow this route into High Point.

Use the following LINKS to find information about the counties and localities found along this segment of the Route.

General Profile

Genealogy & History Resources

Historical Sites

Segment 7

From: High Point, NC

 To: China Grove, NC

Driving Distance = 51 miles;   Driving Time = approximately 1.25 hours

     A few miles after leaving High Point you will enter Davidson County.  Continue on US 29/70 to Lexington, the county seat.  Take the Greensboro Street exit and follow into the town where you will find the Davidson County Government building at

Davidson County Government: 913 Greensboro Street, Lexington, North Carolina  27292;  Phone: (336) 242-2000

Genealogical Society of Davidson County, P.O. Box 1665, Lexington, N.C.  27293-1665

Lexington Library, 602 South Main Street, Lexington, NC 27292, Phone: (336)242-2040.

To leave Lexington continue on south Main Street (BRUS 29/70) at the intersection with I 85 continue straight as the route become the Old Salisbury Road.  Stay on the Old Salisbury road south as it parallels I85.  At the Yadkin River take the US 29/70/NC 150

Main Street the office of the Registrar of Deeds is located at 402 N. Main St.   To locate the Rowan Public

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Library, continue on Main Street and turn right at Fisher Street the library is one block in.

Registrar of Deeds, 402 North Main Street Salisbury, N. C. 28144 (704)216-8626

Rowan Public Library, 201 W. Fisher Street, Salisbury, NC 28144, (704) 216-8228 Rowan Public Library's Edith M. Clark History Room has two foci: Rowan County history and western North Carolina genealogy.  Our holdings include over 10,000 books, 3,000 microforms, 51 computer databases, 45 manuscript collections (measuring 250 linear feet), and dozens of genealogical journals.
The Genealogical Society of Rowan County, Post Office Box 4305, Salisbury, NC 28145-4305

Leave Salisbury on South Main street.  Continue on US 29/70 past the Rowan County Airport and on to the community of China Grove. 

Use the following LINKS to find information about the counties and localities found along this segment of the Route.

General Profile

Genealogy & History Resources

Historical Sites

Segment 8

From: China Grove, NC

To: Lake Wylie, NC

Driving Distance = 48 miles;   Driving Time = approximately 1.25 hours

Just before entering China Grove you will turn left onto NC 152 and take it for a few miles before turning right onto the Old Concord Road.  Follow this route until you reach Concord the seat of Cabarrus County.  As you enter Concord the road will become Cabarrus Avenue.  One block past Church Street (BRUS601/NC 73) turn right at Union Street.  The Cabarrus County Library is located in the first block at 27 Union Street.  To go from here to the Cabarrus back to Church Street (BRUS 601

Cabarrus County Governmental Center, 65 Church St. SE Concord, NC 28025, (704) 920-2112

Cabarrus County Library, 27 Union St. North Concord, NC, 28025 (704) 920-2050

Cabarrus Genealogy Society, PO Box 2981, Concord, NC 28025-0002

Leave Concord by at the intersection of Church Street and Cabarrus Avenue where you will turn left and take Cabarrus Ave. until it joins with US 29 and becomes Concord Parkway (US 29).  Just Past Lowe’s Motor Speedway you will enter Mecklenburg County.  You will enter Charlotte the county seat on Tryon Street (US 29).  The main County library is located downtown at 310 N. Tryon Street.  From here to the Vital Statistics office (Birth and Death records) continue on Tryon Street.  Five blocks past Trade Street turn left at Stonewall Street. The Office is located at 700 East Stonewall Street.   

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Main Charlotte/Mecklenburg County Library 310 North Tryon St., Charlotte NC 28202, (704) 416-0100.

Register of Deeds, 720 East Fourth Street, Charlotte, NC 28202, 704-336-2443

Vital Statistics - (Birth and Death records) 700 East Stonewall Street, Room 320 Charlotte, NC 28202, Phone: 704-336-2819

To leave downtown Charlotte, take 4^th street to Brevard Street turn left and follow it to the entrance ramp to I 277 West. Then exit at Wilkinson Blvd. (US 29/74 west). Stay on this route and cross Lake Wylie into Gaston County. 

Use the following LINKS to find information about the counties and localities found along this segment of the Route.

General Profile

Genealogy & History Resources

Historical Sites

Segment 9

From: Lake Wylie, NC

To: Cowpens, SC

Driving Distance = 53 miles;   Driving Time = approximately 1.50 hours

In Gaston County continue on US 29/74 (Wilkinson Blvd.) into the city of Gastonia, the county seat. E. Franklin Blvd. (US29/74).  Turn left at Armstrong Park Road, and after a few blocks turn right at Armstrong Park Drive which will become E. Garrison Blvd. The Gaston County Library is located at 1555 E. Garrison Blvd.  To go to the County Courthouse from here continue on E. Garrison Blvd. and turn right two blocks past Lineburger Park onto S. Broad Street.  After you cross the railroad tracks turn left at W. Long Ave. (NC

Registrar of Deeds Gaston County Courthouse, 1st Floor
325 North Marietta Street, Gastonia, NC 28052, Deed Room 704-862-7684

Gaston County Library, 1555 E Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, NC 28054, Phone: (704) 868-2164

Gaston Lincoln Genealogical Society, PO Box 584, Mount Holly, NC 28120

To leave Gastonia go back to W. Long Ave. (NC 7) turn right go to S. Chester Ave. and turn left.  Two blocks down turn right onto W. Franklin Blvd. (US 29/74, NC 274).  Continue west on this route until it intersects with I 85.  Leave I 85 at exit 4 and follow the signs for US 29, NC 219 ( S. Battleground Ave.).  As you leave Glover you will enter Cherokee County, South Carolina.  Continue on US 29 through Blacksburg and on into Gaffney, the county seat.  Enter Gaffney on Cherokee Ave. (US 29), which will become S. Granard St. in the downtown area.  Turn left at E. Floyd Baker Blvd., go three blocks to the

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County Courthouse.  To go to the Cherokee Historical & Preservation Society stay on E. Floyd Baker Blvd. turn right at N. Johnson Street go

Recorder / Registrar of Deeds Records, Courthouse Alley, Gaffney, SC 29342, Phone (864)487-2547

Cherokee County, South Carolina Genealogical Records Information

Cherokee Co. Public Library, 300 E. Rutledge St., Gaffney, SC , 864-487-2711

Cherokee Historical & Preservation Society, Inc., 301S. Johnson St., Gaffney, SC, Gaffney, S.C. 29340, 864-489-3988

To leave Gaffney go back up E. Rutledge Street to S. Ganard Street (US 29) and turn left.  Continue on US 29 (Old Georgia Hwy.) on through Thicketty.  Just before the town of Cowpens you will enter Spartanburg County, South Carolina.

Use the following LINKS to find information about the counties and localities found along this segment of the Route.

General Profile

Genealogy & History Resources

Historical Sites

Segment 10

From: Cowpens, SC

To: Greenville, SC

Driving Distance = 42 miles;   Driving Time = approximately 1.00 hours

From Cowpens continue on about 8 miles into Spartanburg, the county seat. Enter downtown Spartanburg on E. St. John Street (US 29).  Turn left at N. Church Street (US 221, SC 56) the County Administration Building is located at 100 N. Church

Administration Building, Main Level, Suite 100, 366 North Church St. Spartanburg, SC 29303, (864) 596-2514 (Phone)

Spartanburg County Library, 151 South Church Street, Spartanburg, SC  29306, 864-596-3500 

The Piedmont Historical Society, P.O. Box 487, Lyman, SC

Spartanburg County Historical Association, PO Box 887, Spartanburg, SC 29304, (864)596-3501, [email protected]

To leave Spartanburg retrace your route back up Church St. and turn left at W. St. John Street (US 29).  Continue west on US 29 through Greer where you will enter Greenville County, South Carolina.  Enter Greenville, the county seat, via Wade Hampton Blvd. (US 29).  Leave Wade Hampton Blvd. at W. Stone Ave. (US 276).  Turn left at Rutherford St. then left onto Buncombe Street (BRUS 25, NC 183).  Turn left at Atwood St., right on Marshall and left onto Heritage Green Place.  The Hughes Main County Library is at 25 Heritage Green Place.  To go to the headquarters of the Greenville Historical Society you must retrace your route back to Buncombe Street and turn left.  Turn right at Academy Street go two blocks and turn left onto E. Washington Street.  The Society is located four blocks down at 211 E. Washington Street.  The County offices are located south of

Click on the map to view a full-sized image

downtown at the Greenville County Square.  To go there go one more block to the intersection of E. Washington Street and S. Church Street, (US 29).  Go about 5 or 6 blocks to University

Registrar of Deeds, Greenville County Square, Suite 1300, 301 University Ridge, Greenville, SC 29601, Office: 864-467-7240

Hughes Main Library, 25 Heritage Green Pl, Greenville, SC 29601-2034, 864-242-5000

Greenville Historical Society headquarters at 211 E. Washington St, Greenville, SC 29603. (864) 233-4103

The Greenville News, 305 S. Main St., Greenville, SC 29602, (864) 298-4100

Use the following LINKS to find information about the counties and localities found along this segment of the Route.

General Profile

Genealogy & History Resources

Historical Sites

Internet Resources

The Google search engine

 button  and following web

sites    may     provide    you

with additional information

to assist with your research

about   this   topic. 

·         American Migration Patterns

·         Migration Routes, Roads & Trails

·         Brethren Life: Migrations

·         Trails West

·         Historical U.S. roads and trails - Wikipedia

·         U.S. Historical Maps - Perry-Castañeda Collection

·         Early American Roads and Trails

·         Frontier Trails: A Brief History

·         MIGRATIONS.org

·         ROOTS / MIGRATIONS

·         American Migration Fact Sheets

·         Map guide to American migration routes,1735-1815

·         Migration Book Store

·         Early Migration Routes

·         The Overland Trail Links--Ancient Indian Trails

·         American Westward Expansion

·         Migration Message Boards – Ancestry.com

·         The African-American Migration Experience 

·         Migration Trails – map of many U.S. trails

·         Migration Information & Maps By Ethnic Group

·         The Upper Road – Royal Colony of South Carolina

·         Upper Road – FamilySearch Wiki

·         The Upper Road (pdf)

·         The Upper Road (map)

·         The Upper Road - Melungeon Studies

Download a free 2-page Fact Sheet

about American migration routes

The following Link will take you to our library of genealogy reference books.   Here you will find books about historic American roads, trails, and paths.  In addition, there are texts that pertain to ethnic and religion groups, history, geography as well as other books that will assist you with your research.

This Link will take you to our

collection of reference books.  

Image Gallery

During our research we have collected images and photographs that are of general interest to a variety of historic American roads, trails and migration.  Some of them are presented on this website because we believe they tend to provide the reader with additional information which may aid in the understanding of this topic as well as our ancestors past lives.

Upcountry Museum, Greenville, NC

Use this LINK to see the “Image

 Gallery” that pertain to this topic.

Use the power of Google™ to find more interesting images about this topic. This button will link you to the Google Images Search   page.   Enter   the   topic   you   are

searching in the box and click “Search Images”. At the “Images” display page you will see the image, as well as the website of which it is associated.

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-- This webpage was last updated on --

01 January 2013